Looking for a quick weeknight meal? Look no further! This amazing pasta dish with a creamy sauce sneaks in green veggies & healthy fats when you need a tasty, last minute meal!
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It's no surprise that this recipe has taken social media by storm. This bright green sauce would also be an excellent choice to serve during festive times like St. Patrick's day!
If you love easy pasta dishes with delicious ingredients, you'll love my: Creamier Carbonara, Brie and bacon gnocchi, Caramelized onion pasta!
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Ingredients for Green Goddess Pasta
- Spaghetti
- Cherry tomatoes
- Extra Virgin Olive oil
- Fresh basil leaves
- Creamy Avocado
- Fresh Spinach
- Pasta water
- Cashews
- Fresh lemon juice
- Fresh garlic
- Nutritional yeast
- Sea Salt
- Black Pepper
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions for Green Goddess Pasta
Season & Bake Cherry Tomatoes.
Make the Sauce in a Blender.
Add Sauce to Pasta.
Add the Baked Cherry Tomatoes & Serve.
1. Preheat your oven to 410°F (210°C). Place the cherry tomatoes on a small baking tray, season with salt and pepper, drizzle of olive oil, and toss to coat. Roast in the oven for 20 minutes until they're wonderfully caramelized.
2. While the tomatoes roast, boil the spaghetti in large pot of water until it reaches al dente perfection. Remember to reserve some pasta water for the sauce.
3. Meanwhile, prepare the green goddess sauce. In a blender or food processor, combining all the sauce ingredients, basil, avocado, spinach, reserved pasta water, cashews, lemon juice, garlic, nutritional yeast, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy. Adjust the consistency with more pasta water if desired.
4. Once the pasta is cooked and drained, toss it with the green goddess sauce until well coated in a pan over medium heat.
5. Serve the pasta with the roasted cherry tomatoes on top, adding an extra sprinkle of freshly ground pepper for an added kick or red pepper flakes for that spicy kick if desired.
6. Indulge in this deliciously wholesome dish and savor every bite of its vibrant flavors. Enjoy!
Substitutions for Green Goddess Pasta
Spaghetti: Substitute with any other type of pasta such as fettuccine, penne, or linguine. For a gluten-free option, use chickpea pasta or gluten free pasta
Cherry tomatoes: Use grape tomatoes, Roma tomatoes, or heirloom tomatoes. Sun-dried tomatoes could also work, although they'll provide a different flavor profile.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Substitute with any other cooking oil such as avocado oil, vegetable oil, or sunflower oil.
Fresh Basil Leaves: Replace with dried basil, using about one-third of the amount as dried herbs are more concentrated. Alternatively, use fresh parsley, cilantro, or mint for a different flavor profile. But Fresh Basil Leaves are high recommended and a key ingredient in this recipe!
Avocado: Substitute with an equal amount of mashed cooked peas or cooked butternut squash for a creamy texture. Silken tofu can also provide a creamy texture when blended.
Spinach: Substitute with kale, Swiss chard, or arugula for a peppery flavor. Frozen spinach (thawed and drained) can also be used, though the texture will be slightly different.
Pasta Water: Use vegetable broth, chicken broth, or plain water for a lighter option.
Cashews: Substitute with blanched almonds, pine nuts, or sunflower seeds for a similar creamy texture. Tahini (sesame seed paste) can also add creaminess to the sauce.
Fresh Lemon: Use store bought lemon juice or Lime juice.
Fresh Garlic: Substitute with garlic powder or garlic paste, adjusting the quantity to taste. Alternatively, use finely minced shallots or red onion for a milder flavor.
Nutritional Yeast: If desired, add a touch of grated Parmesan cheese, little bit of cream cheese or a vegan cheese if you like!
Equipment for Green Goddess Pasta
Small Baking Tray
Oven or Air Fryer
High Speed Blender
Pot for Pasta
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
To reheat, gently warm in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. Alternatively, microwave in short intervals, stirring in between. Adjust seasoning if necessary before serving.
3 Top Tips for Success
Make sure to use fresh ingredients for this recipe! Fresh Basil is one of the key ingredients, so I wouldn’t recommend using any substitutes.
Cook the pasta Al dente! This rich sauce needs a perfectly cooked pasta, avoid the mushy texture at all costs!
Customize Texture: Blend the sauce to desired consistency, adding more pasta water for a silkier texture or keeping it thicker.
FAQ's for Green Goddess Pasta
This delicious sauce consists of fresh herbs like basil, spinach, or parsley blended with creamy elements such as avocado or cashews, along with garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and seasonings.
Yes, you can easily double the recipe to accommodate a larger group. Simply adjust the ingredient quantities accordingly, ensuring you have enough pasta and sauce to serve everyone generously.
Absolutely! This recipe is great for meal prep. You can cook the pasta and prepare the sauce ahead of time, storing them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. When ready to eat, simply reheat the sauce and combine with the pasta before serving.
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with [this recipe]:
Green Goddess Pasta
Equipment
- High Speed Blender
Ingredients
- 1 cup basil leaves
- ½ avocado
- 1 cup spinach
- ¾ cup reserved pasta water
- ¾ cup cashews
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 4 cloves garlic
- 3 tablespoon nutritional yeast
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 410°F (210°C). Place the cherry tomatoes on a small baking tray, season with salt and pepper, drizzle with olive oil, and toss to coat. Roast in the oven for 20 minutes until they're wonderfully caramelized.
- While the tomatoes roast, cook the spaghetti until it reaches al dente perfection. Remember to reserve some pasta water for the sauce.
- Meanwhile, prepare the green goddess sauce. In a blender or food processor, combine basil, avocado, spinach, reserved pasta water, cashews, lemon juice, garlic, nutritional yeast, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy. Adjust the consistency with more pasta water if desired.
- Once the pasta is cooked and drained, toss it with the green goddess sauce until well coated.
- Serve the pasta with the roasted cherry tomatoes on top, adding an extra sprinkle of freshly ground pepper for an added kick if desired.
- Indulge in this deliciously wholesome dish and savor every bite of its vibrant flavors. Enjoy!
Food safety
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
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